In Bobby Ann Mason's "Shiloh",Leroy and Norma Jean Moffit are involved in a very ordinary yet dysfunctional marriage. They have both spent their entire lives in Kentucky and have been surrouded by the same people for most of their lives. They married when they were eighteen becuase Norma Jean was pregnant with their son Randy. Randy died just a few months after he was born, which left a lasting, but unspoken impression on their marriage. Leroy was a truck driver up until four months ago when he got into an accident and he could no longer drive his rig. Norma Jean works at the Rexall, and spends a lot of time with her mother Mabel. They have spent a majority of their marriage apart due to Leroy's job, which is the only reason their marriage lasted as long as it has. It is hard to say what is ordinary in today's world. If you compare Leroy and Norma Jean's marriage to the majority of the world they are normal; which is dysfunctional by today's standards. Like many couples today, Norma Jean and Leroy lead separate lives. The only difference is that now they have been forced back into each other's lives. "He has the feeling that they are waking up out of a dream together-that they must create a new marriage, start afresh." Norma Jean does not seem interested in starting afresh. She seems like she wants to give up and move on. Throughout the story, Leory and Norma Jean never really talk. There is no affection or feeling. They just go about their lives like nothing has changed or really matters. Leroy loves Norma Jean, but he does not know how to show it, or even if he should. When they were separated for long periods of time there was a sense of excitement when Leroy would return from a long haul. "Before his accident, when Leroy came home he used to stay in the house with Norma Jean, watching TV in bed and playing cards. She would cook fried chicken, picnic ham, chocolate pie- all his favorites. Now he is home alone much of the time." Now...
